On November 13, 2013, computer programmers, web designers, software developers, and a host of other transgender activists and allies will convene in Oakland, CA for the first ever hackathon for transgender empowerment: Trans*H4CK. While the term “hack” usually carries a negative connotation, "hackathons" are events where community members pool skills, resources and knowledge to create innovative solutions to complex social problems like intimate partner violence or access to safe drinking water.

The brainchild of Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler—director of the award-winning documentary STILL BLACK: a portrait of black transmen— Trans*H4CK will use technology to address the disparate impact of unemployment, health care, and legal services on transgender and gender-variant people.

According to an HRC report, at least one in five transgender people surveyed report experiencing employment discrimination. Among those who are able to find employment, 20 to 57 percent of transgender respondents said they experienced employment discrimination, including being fired, denied a promotion or harassed.

For more information on Trans*H4CK or to get involved, visit http://transhack.org/. To learn more on HRC’s commitment to transgender equality and inclusion, click here.